The 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles witnessed a remarkable triumph for British talent, with singer-songwriter Olivia Dean clinching the prestigious Best New Artist award on Sunday night. This victory underscores a broader pattern of success for alumni from the Brit School in Croydon, south London, which has become a breeding ground for global stars.
Croydon's Creative Powerhouse Celebrates Grammy Glory
As the Grammy winners took to the stage, a common thread emerged: many had once walked the halls of the Brit School in Selhurst, Croydon. Olivia Dean, who blends soul, jazz, and pop styles, became the first British performer to win Best New Artist since Dua Lipa in 2019. Her sophomore album, The Art of Loving, saw multiple singles simultaneously enter the UK Top 10, cementing her rising status.
Joining Dean in the winner's circle were fellow Brit School graduates Lola Young, who secured Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit Messy, and FKA twigs, who won Best Dance/Electronic Album for Eusexua. Additionally, Raye, another alumna, received the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change award earlier in the week for Ice Cream Man.
A Legacy of Stardom and Authenticity
Since its establishment in the 1990s with a focus on performing and creative arts, the Brit School has evolved into Britain's most potent launchpad for global stardom. Its alumni roster reads like a who's who of British talent, including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, Tom Holland, Leona Lewis, and Loyle Carner. Even artists who never attended, such as Ed Sheeran, have referenced the institution in their work, highlighting its cultural significance.
Stuart Worden, a teacher at the school since 1994 and its principal since 2012, described this year's Grammys as "a brilliant celebration" of free arts education. He emphasised that Dean, Young, and Raye serve as fantastic role models, demonstrating what young people can achieve with access to the arts. Worden recalled their early days at the school, noting that all three joined as 14-year-olds, with Dean and Young staying for sixth form, while Raye left after her GCSEs to pursue her burgeoning music career.
Nurturing Unique Voices and Professional Values
Worden highlighted that these artists are not overnight successes; they honed their craft through years of hard work, playing small venues and refining their records. What sets them apart, he explained, is their authenticity and dedication to writing about matters that resonate with them personally. "They are not manufactured, they are themselves and that's powerful," Worden stated, pointing to Raye's Grammy-winning song about harassment and Young's honest portrayal of life's challenges.
The Brit School fosters a spirit of collaboration and professional standards, instilling values like kindness and emotional openness. This environment has led to lasting connections, such as Olivia Dean meeting her bass player in the school canteen and Adele forming key musical partnerships during her time there. Alumni remain engaged with the institution, with Raye recently expressing interest in involving current students in her new show.
Impact and Inclusivity in Arts Education
The school's impact is quantifiable: former students have sold nearly 300 million albums, accumulated over 70 billion streams online, and won numerous high-profile awards, including Grammys, Baftas, Oscars, Oliviers, and Brits. Beyond artistic training, students study core subjects alongside their specialisms, participating in more than 200 shows or events annually.
Diversity is a cornerstone of the Brit School's ethos. With 1,450 students, 40% are of global majority heritage, 50% come from income-deprived backgrounds, and a third have a Special Educational Needs (SEN) diagnosis. Worden stressed the importance of this inclusivity, stating, "We as a country need many different voices in the arts. Giving access to those from low-income or neurodiverse backgrounds creates opportunities that might not otherwise exist."
This Grammy success story not only celebrates individual achievements but also reinforces the value of accessible arts education in shaping authentic, influential artists who resonate on a global stage.
